The Super Skrull first appears in this, the September 1963 issue of the Fantastic Four. Watch for more recent Secret Invasion titles this weekend, sporting the spiffy new icon. (If you haven’t read New Avengers #31 or any Avengers comics since then, sorry about the spoiler.)

General Information

Title: Fantastic Four #18

Author: Stan Lee

Illustrator(s): Jack Kirby (pencils) and Dick Ayers (inks)

Cover Date: September 1963

Cover Price: $0.12 US

Detailed coverage of all applicable issues of all Secret Invasion related titles can be found at this address.

Premise

Retaliating from their initial defeat, the Skrulls create the Super-Skrull to have amplified versions of all of the team’s powers, as well as hypnotism and a Skrull’s natural shape changing ability. This Super-Skrull comes to Earth in hopes of taking over.

High Point

Popping over to Waikiki.

Low Point

Drawing on external power from another dimension seems like a massive design flaw to me.

The Scores

This was an original take on the Skrulls, and the first step towards making them a unique threat instead of a standard riff on “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” Though he wasn’t yet named, Paibok would soon become a major player in his own right. I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork is classic Kirby; details could be improved, but the storytelling is fantastic. I give it 4 out of 6.

The story works well enough, if we accept the idea of the power supply. I give it 4 out of 6.

The characterization of the team is as strong as its ever been. The Skrulls were still pretty shallow, though. I give it 4 out of 6.

The emotional response was strong enough, with the team dynamic propelling the story through the weakness in the opponent. I give it 4 out of 6.

The flow was great. Kirby really shines here. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, this is a decent issue, once again telling a simple story with a complex team. I give it 4 out of 6.